Boyceville Village Board elects Megan Goodell to fill spot on board vacated by Ben Hitz
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By Renee Bettendorf
BOYCEVILLE- At their meeting held on Monday evening the board voted to elect Megan Goodell to the board after approving the resignation of village trustee Ben Hitz.
Village president Luke Montgomery said a complaint was filed at the last meeting in regards to the absence of Hitz who was elected to the board in April 2024. Since his election, Hitz has managed to attend just two meetings. After the complaint was filed Hitz resigned from the board.
After Hitz’s resignation, Montgomery asked board members to bring people who are interested in filling the vacancy to the meeting so that the board could vote to elect someone to serve out the remaining year of Hitz’s term.
Village trustee Sonya Zebro brought Wayne Dow and Emily Dow and trustee Jo Dormanen brought Goodell. The board submitted paper ballots at the meeting and village clerk treasurer Brittany Halvorson counted them. Goodell received five votes and Wayne Dow received one vote. The board then unanimously approved a motion to elect Goodell as a new board member.
Reports
During the staff reports section of the meeting the board learned from library director Kallie Anderson that the library recently received a $25,000 donation from the estate of former Boyceville elementary school teacher Rebecca Rogers.
In his report to the board airport manager Joel Timblin said that fuel sales are up at the airport, the airport booster club is looking into creating a mowed area for parachuters and hot air balloon use, they are researching putting in a propane fill station and there is interest in building two new hangers.
Eric Barclay of MSA, the village’s engineering company, updated the board on the Sykora Lane project. He said that the contracting process with Albrightson Excavating is complete and they are planning on starting work on the project this spring.
Barclay also said MSA has been working with Ohly in regards to the wastewater treatment project and later in the meeting Shane Dennis, also from MSA, joined the meeting virtually. He updated the board on bids for the wastewater treatment project.
Dennis said that three bids were received for the project and all three are under what MSA estimated the cost to be. MSA estimated the cost to be 8.8 million; the three bids came in at 8.7, 8.2 and 7.5. He said MSA wants to do some more research on the low bidder before he makes a recommendation to the board next month.
Montgomery reported that he’s been speaking with Ohly about their wastewater discharges. He also visited the plant and was shown some of their testing procedures and equipment.
Trustee Brad Stevens who is the fire district representative for the village told the board that he’s been busy with the fire board. He said another chairman resigned and he was nominated as the vice chair. Stevens said the fire board hired a lawyer to help with updates on bylaws and code of conduct and he’s been helping with that process.
In other business the Boyceville village board:
• Learned from village resident Lonna Borgert that she was subpoenaed to speak at a court hearing in regards to vandalism that was committed by a juvenile at the cemetery. She reported that a ruling will be made in May for the case and she is fairly confident that the village will receive some restitution money.
• Heard from director of public works Craig Dotseth that his department will be creating a notice that will inform the public about what can be flushed down a toilet after taking apart a pump six times in the last month to clear wipes and rags.
• Learned from police chief Greg Lamkin that BPD had 110 calls for service in February and the department handled 91% of them.
• Heard from Halvorson that 29 people voted at the recent election.
• Learned from Zebro that a new ambulance will arrive in about three weeks.
• Approved changes to the winter parking ordinance with Dormanen voting no and Goodell abstaining.
• Approved changes to the snow and ice control ordinance with Zebro voting no and Goodell abstaining.
• Approved changes to the village camping ordinance unanimously.
